HB 253 Summary

• Defines "small business" as an independently owned Florida-based entity with 50 or fewer permanent full-time positions and specific gross sales limits ($5 million for licensed contractors, $500,000 for sole proprietorships, $1 million for others).

• Requires state agencies to avoid unnecessary contract bundling and conduct market research before issuing bundled solicitations, including written summaries explaining why bundling is necessary.

• Mandates agencies award at least 35 percent of total contract dollar amounts to small businesses either directly or indirectly as subcontractors, with contracts requiring vendors to use small businesses for at least 35 percent of subcontracting.

• Prohibits agencies and contractors from requiring bid bonds, performance bonds, or other sureties for contracts not exceeding $500,000, except during solicitation protests or contract award protests.

• Requires the rules ombudsman in the Executive Office of the Governor to establish a reporting system tracking small business participation and submit annual reports by February 1 to legislative and executive leadership on contract awards and expenditures by agency.